By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Believers who preach repentance and release from the bondage of sin must ensure they themselves are unfettered by corruption and compromise, and have had total freedom from the Lord. Unfortunately, many people come to fellowship with unsettled grievances at home. Such people cannot have the authority, power and the recognition of heaven to “bind” and “loose” because they are not free from the works of darkness.

It is when we are unfettered ourselves and we put away private, personal, perpetual and every form of iniquity from us that we can have the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” to bind, loose and “decree a thing, and it shall be established unto (us).”

But there are boundless possibilities when believers are truly united, with no bitterness in the heart and no unforgiving offences. But when we are united as brethren, it earns us answers to prayer. The Lord is not interested in those who are united in secular things, but those whose heart are committed to what He has truly ordained. He wants us to get rid of every indignation and iniquity, and be united in heart, humility, doctrine and holiness. Also, as we gather “together in (His) name,” He promises to be in our midst.

Apostle Peter once asked Jesus Christ how many times he could forgive his brother’s offences. He thought he could forgive only “seven times,” but Christ replied, “Until seventy times seven.” Christ’s response shows that our forgiveness, as pilgrims to heaven, should be without limit. This kind of forgiveness demands genuine salvation. Anyone who does not have the nature and mind of Christ will find it impossible to forgive others. We may not like people’s actions towards us, but we must have a forgiving spirit and learn to accommodate them.

Those who are pregnant with bitterness do not enjoy life. The unmerciful servant in Christ’s story forfeited the precious opportunity of being at peace with the Master of the universe because he could not forgive. God wants us to show forgiveness to people who offend us, from the depth of our hearts, no matter their offence, so as not to be separated from Him forever. Such is the tormenting fate of unmerciful oppressors.

“Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, …Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” The unmerciful servant was not compassionate to his fellow servant; therefore, his Lord “delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.” As we relate with other people, we must show them mercy, compassion, love and tenderness. In our daily engagements, we must not be wicked, cruel, pushy and bossy to others. We must aspire to be in heaven and manifest from the heart the virtues of forgiveness, gentleness and meekness.

Believers must realise “that offences (must) come” in life, and that there is a certain future of torments for unrepentant offenders. Therefore, we should make room for it in our hearts. But Christ pronounces “woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Instead of giving attention to people’s ill actions towards us, we should concentrate on the promises of God for our progress in life and ministry. We must not allow those who offend us to be obstacles on our way to heaven. We must not only be teachable, but constantly manifest the fullness of unwavering obedience to the Lord.

“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” God gives us the fullness of His grace and love to be obedient and teachable. As we are obedient to Him in the area of loyalty, love, forgiveness, compassion and consecration, He will do for us, great things that are “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

• Further reading (King James Version): Matthew 18:15-35. Matthew 18:3,4; Acts 5:30,31; 26:16-18; Colossians 1:13,14. Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3,4; Ephesians 4:30-32; Colossians 3:12-17. Matthew 18:17; Ezekiel 17:12; Hosea 11:7,12; Jeremiah 8:4-9,20-22. Matthew 18:18; 16:19; Job 22:21-23, 28. Matthew 18:19,20. Matthew 18:21,22. Matthew 18:23-35.Matthew 18:32-35. Matthew 18:7,8. Ephesians 3:19-21.